Geranium plant named ‘Elegance LightLavender Splash’

ABSTRACT

‘Elegance LightLavender Splash’ is a new variety of  geranium  having large flowers and lavender petals with dark red-purple eyes.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium domesticum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Elegance LightLavender Splash’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium domesticum known by the varietal name ‘EleganceLightLavender Splash’. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif.The new variety is a result of cross breeding Light Pink Seedling #4373(female parent) (unpatented) and Lavender Seedling #3020 (male parent)(unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to introduce newregal geraniums that are less sensitive to light and temperature. Thenew variety is similar in plant type to its female parent, but differsin flower color. Conversely, the new variety is similar in flower colorto its male parent, but differs in plant type. ‘Elegance LightLavenderSplash’ is more compact, with earlier and lighter colored flowers than‘Elegance Lavender’ (U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No.60/603,817). ‘Elegance LightLavender Splash’ is also very freeflowering, has a good response to extra light, and exhibits largerflowers when compared to other varieties known to the breeder. The newvariety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Connellsville, Pa.The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive propagations.

The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in a 4″ pot inConnellsville, Pa. in a soilless media with constant fertilizer at 200ppm nitrogen and potassium. The new variety was grown under 16-hour dayswith supplemental high pressure sodium lamps. The new variety exhibitsdeveloped roots at 14 days at an average temperature of 21° C. and has aresponse time of fifteen weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a12.7 cm. container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Connellsville, Pa. Thecolor readings were taken indoors under 65-85 foot candles of cool whitefluorescent light. The new variety was eight weeks from a rooted cuttingwhen described. Color references are primarily to the 1966 R.H.S. ColourChart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Market class: Regal.-   Time to initiate roots: About 9 days at about 21° C.-   Time to develop roots (days, temperature): About 14 days at about    21° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 15 weeks in a 12.7 cm. container.-   Rooting habit: Good to excellent.-   Form: Round-mounded.-   Height from media surface to top of foliage: 19.0-21.0 cm.-   Height from media surface to top of flowers: 27.0-29.0 cm.-   Plant diameter: 21.0-23.0 cm.-   Strength: No artificial support is needed.-   Branching habit: Free basal branching.-   Stem:    -   -   Main stem length.—12-14 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.2-1.5 cm.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Texture.—Leathery texture.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate.        -   Internode length.—1.0-1.5 cm.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Length.—Primary: 9.5-12.0 cm. Secondary: Plant is too young            to measure.        -   Diameter.—Primary: 0.5-1.0 cm. Secondary: Plant is too young            to measure.        -   Internode length.—1.5-3.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate with a stalked leaf attachment.        -   Stipules.—Size: 4.0-5.0 cm. Color: Yellow-Green Group 143A.        -   Zone.—Not present.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 4.0-7.0 cm. Width: 6.0-11.0 cm.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Reniform.        -   Shape of apex.—Pointed, jagged.        -   Shape of base.—Truncate.        -   Texture.—Smooth upper surface and leathery.        -   Margin type.—Serrated, lobed.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface: None. Lower surface: Slight.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: Green Group 137B. Lower            surface: Green Group 138B. Mature leaves: Upper surface:            Green Group 137A. Lower surface: Green Group 138A.        -   Petiole.—Length: 3.0-7.0 cm. Diameter: 2.0-3.0 cm. Color:            Green Group 143A.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Branched; palmate. Color: Upper            surface: Green Group 137B. Lower surface: Green Group 138B.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Bud:    -   -   Stage of development when bud characteristics            determined.—Just prior to sepals parting at tips.        -   Shape of cluster.—Elliptical when no color is showing.        -   Diameter of cluster.—2.0-2.5 cm.        -   Number of buds per cluster.—6.        -   Shape of individual bud.—Elliptical or oval when no color is            showing.        -   Length of individual bud.—1.5-2.0 cm.        -   Width of individual bud.—0.5-1.0 cm.-   Natural flowering season at specified locations: Would naturally    flower under cooler temperatures in California; requires cool    temperatures and light to flower fully in the greenhouse after buds    are set.-   Blooming habit: Requires approximately 10 weeks under specific    greenhouse temperature and light regimes to set bud.-   Umbel diameter: 10.5-11.0 cm.-   Umbel depth: 6.5 cm.-   Borne: Umbel, flowers on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.-   Inflorescence position: Above foliage.-   Number of inflorescences per lateral branch: 3-4.-   Lastingness of an individual flower: 7-10 days.-   Florets:    -   -   Form.—Cupped. As flowers mature, the florets gradually            become more open/flat.        -   Number per umbel.—4-7.        -   Diameter.—76 mm on mature floret.        -   Depth.—23 mm deep on mature floret.-   Petals:    -   -   Color.—Upper surface: The lower petals have no ‘eye’            present. The overall background color is Purple Group 75C,            especially at edges. The lower petals have an over color            that is more red going to the color of Purple Group 72C            toward the center. Veining is described as Purple Group 74C.            There are a few small dark veins of Purple Group 74C, but            the overlaying iridescent sheen most closely matches Purple            Group 72C. The upper petals have an ‘eye’. They are the same            color as the lower petals, except the center of the eye is            Red Purple Group 64A and barely outlined with Red-Purple            Group 61C. Some veining goes from Red-Purple Group 71A near            the base to Red-Purple Group 64A and ends with Red-Purple            Group 61B. There is also White Group 155B centrally located.            Lower surface: The lower petals have a color of Purple Group            75D with veining (soft) of Red Group 64B. The lower surface            of the petals with an eye have the darkest color of Red            Purple Group 69A with interveinal Red Purple Group 61A and            61B.        -   Shape.—Teardrop.        -   Length.—4.2-4.9 cm.        -   Width.—3.0-4.2 cm.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Tapered to a point.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly ruffled.        -   Number per floret.—5-6.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Tonality from a distance.—Lavender with Dark Red-Purple eye.-   Petaloids: None present.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—4.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.3 cm. at attachment to floret.        -   Color.—Yellow Green 144A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—5.5-6.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—5-7 mm.        -   Texture.—Pubescent; leathery.        -   Color.—Green Group 143A.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Shape.—Arrow or lance shaped.        -   Width.—2.0-5.0 mm.        -   Length.—21-23 mm.-   Fragrance: The flower has no fragrance. Foliage has a ‘fruity’    fragrance.-   Disease resistance: None observed.-   Temperature tolerance: None observed.-   Drought tolerance: None observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—5-6.        -   Filament.—Length: 18-19 mm. Color: White Group 155 with            Red-Purple Group 73B.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Elliptical. Length: 20-23 mm. Color:            Red-Purple Group 59A on underside when pollen is shedding.        -   Pollen.—Color: Greyed-Orange Group 169C. Amount (generally):            Average producer.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—1 that separates into 5.        -   Length.—28 mm before it separates.        -   Style.—Length: 2.3 cm. Color: Red-Purple Group 59A at tips            to Red-Purple Group 61C near base.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Twisted slightly, some curl downward. Color:            Red-Purple Group 59A at tip. Size: 0.3 cm. high.        -   Ovaries.—Position: Superior. Pubescence: Present. Length:            0.2 cm. Width: Less than 1 mm, individually. Color:            Greyed-Green Group 191A.

1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant named ‘EleganceLightLavender Splash’ as described and illustrated.